Worker's Compensation Insurance

What is workers' compensation?
Worker's compensation is a form of insurance that provides compensation medical care for employees who are injured in the course of employment, in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence.

Workers' compensation is payment provided to employees when they are injured while at work. Negligence does not need to be shown in order to receive workers compensation. In order to receive workers' compensation, you have to have been employed at the time you are injured, and the injury must be a result of the employment. This means that your injuries must be caused by whatever tasks you are supposed to perform while employed.

It is important for an injured worker to participate in treatment with a mental health professional so that principals of Functional Restoration can be employed to assist in the overall recovery of an injured worker.  As a psychologist, focus is placed on integrating the human factors which include positive self-esteem, personal identity, role in the family, and the need for one’s self-fullment. 

A biopsychosocial model of treatment is used which helps the individual to function in the Workers’ Compensation System so that there is efficiency in care rehabilitation.  The focus is on returning to work as soon as possible.  Mental health includes an injured worker’s ability to form goals, to accept their permanent disability, and to be a productive person.  An injury which results in a disability causes severe changes in the person’s environment and requires integration of therapeutic components, which include pharmacological, psychological, and physical activation. 

Dr. Lucchetti is aware of current accepted evidence based psychological treatment which meets the standards of current Workers’ Comp regulations.  Dr. Lucchetti has been a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME 91170) since 1994.  Dr. Lucchetti’s role has been as an AME, IME, QME, PTP, and Treating Physician for the California Dept. of Industrial Relations.